Canada redeemed themselves nicely in Game 2, thanks largely to a couple
of brother acts, and a radically different game plan.

Canada's arrogant thoughts of easily crushing their communist
counterparts had backfired, meaning they simply had to win this game to
restore confidence in the Canadian people and themselves. In that sense,
Game 2 was the most important game of the series for Canada.

And win they did. They held the upper hand on the Soviets most of the
night, but had significant trouble beating the skinny 20-year-old goalie
Vladislav Tretiak.

After a scoreless first period, Phil Esposito, who was quickly
establishing himself as the undisputable leader of Team Canada, opened the
scoring in the second period. Yvan Cournoyer used his blazing speed to
make the Russian defense look slow on an early power-play marker in the
third period, but the Big Yak, Alexander Yakushev, pulled the Soviets to
within one just 4 minutes later on the feared Russian power-play unit.

Yakushev's goal was the only one that would get by
Chicago
Blackhawks goaltending great Tony Esposito. Phil's brother had
replaced Ken Dryden in the Canadian nets for this game. It was a good move
as Esposito played well and adapted better to the Soviet's criss-crossing
offense.

On the same power play, Pete Mahovlich scored on what was perhaps the
most remarkable individual effort of the series. With Canada killing a
penalty, the lanky "Little M" picked up a Phil Esposito clearing attempt
just inside the center line. Faking his patented slapshot, Mahovlich deked
a Soviet defender and drove in alone on Tretiak. He faked a forehand shot,
went to his backhand, and while falling on top of Tretiak managed to slip
the puck into the net by using his impressive long reach. To this day
Tretiak is puzzled as to how the puck made it past him, as he knows he
played the shot perfectly.

Peter's amazing solo rush awed the Soviets. Big brother Frank Mahovlich
teamed up with Czechoslovakian-born Stan Mikita a little more than two
minutes later to cement the win. Mikita stole the puck behind the goal and
centered to the unchecked Big M, who one-timed a shot off of the post and
behind Tretiak.

Led by Phil Esposito's inspiration and Tony Esposito's stellar
goaltending, and Pete and Frank Mahovlich's heroic goal scoring, all was
well in Canada again.

The Canadians were successful because they played the simplest of game
plans. They dressed a more physical lineup and focussed on a fierce
forechecking game as well as a tight defensive game. The players were
willing to listen to their coaching staffs after being stunned and
humiliated in game one. The arrogant NHLers didn't believe that what
happened could happen in Game 1, and after it did they were all very
attentive to their coaches advice. By doing so, they restored their pride.

"They were more respectful of us in the second game," said Soviet
captain Boris Mikhailov. "They understood we could play good hockey. They
played very well, a very physical game. We had not seen such a style of
game."